David Benoit

Piano | Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 02:15 pm

Since launching his recording career in 1977, David Benoit’s expansive career as a contemporary and smooth jazz pianist has included over 25 solo recordings. His ‘80s releases “This Side Up”, “Freedom at Midnight” and the GRAMMY nominated “Every Step of the Way” are considered influential genre classics. Among his other Grammy nominations (5 in total) are those for Best Instrumental Composition and Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance. His prolific output since 2000 includes several prominent Charlie Brown related projects that reflect his lifelong passion for the music of original Peanuts composer Vince Guaraldi and solidify Benoit’s role as his musical heir. Benoit has also released the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charting albums “Fuzzy Logic”, “Right Here, Right Now”, “Full Circle” and “Heroes”, which paid homage to the pianist’s top jazz and pop influences.

Benoit’s ever expanding slate of orchestral music endeavors include his ongoing role as conductor of the Asia America Symphony Orchestra and leading such eminent orchestras as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the symphonies of London, Nuremberg, San Francisco, Atlanta, San Antonio and San Jose. In 2009, Benoit performed and conducted Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” with the Asia America Symphony Orchestra in a show that included Broadway great Lea Salonga.

Through 2010, Benoit released his latest album “Earthglow“ and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at The American Smooth Jazz Awards.